THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL CO. PERSONAL PROPERTY & MOTOR VEHICLES

THE FASCINATING WORLD OF PERSONAL PROPERTY APPRAISALS IN SOUTH FLORIDA

2012-02-02T10:33:00.000-08:00

Art, Antique and Personal Property Appraisals
http://stlucieappraisal.net/

SOUTH FLORIDA - The thing that I enjoy most about being a personal property appraiser who deals with art, antiques, furs, musical instruments and collectibles is the research. Provenance, or history, means so much in determining the value of high-end items. I pride myself in giving a customer more than just the value of his antique watch or sports memorabilia collection. It is for this reason I’m often told that my appraisals resemble nicely-worded sales offerings. I tend to wax poetic pointing out unique features of items being appraised. South Florida is simply teeming with very interesting, highly valuable stuff.

Whether appraising residential and business contents or tangible personal property, The St. Lucie Appraisal Company makes every effort to provide prompt, professional service throughout South Florida. It comes easy when you’re getting paid to do something you really love.

http://stlucieappraisal.net/
AUTO & PERSONAL PROPERTY
SERVICE THROUGHOUT SOUTH FLORIDA

Our service area includes St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, Brevard, Palm Beach, Broward and Dade Counties. Cities include Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Pompano Beach, Tamarac, Sunrise, Lauderhill, Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Hollywood, Hallandale, Miami, Opa Locka, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Kendall and Homestead.

Diminished Value Appraisals throughout Florida including, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pensacola, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Port Charlotte, Clearwater, Kissimmee, Melbourne, Daytona Beach, Ocala, Gainsville, Bradenton, Titusville, Panama City, Bonita Springs, Naples, St. Petersburg and Tallahassee.

Our rates for services are as follows:

Auto Appraisals (Donations, Bankruptcy, Divorce, Insurance Disputes) $125.00

Stated Value Appraisals (Antique & Classic Cars, Street Rods, Motorcycles, RVs, Trucks) $175.00

Diminished Value Appraisals (Determines how much less your car is worth after accident repairs) $225.00

Personal Property Appraisals (Contents, Collectibles, Art, Antiques) $225.00

All other services and additional time when necessary $75/Hr.

You may obtain appraisals for Charitable Donation Tax Credits, Collateral, Damage Claims, Equitable Distribution, Bankruptcy, Estates, Insurance Stated Value, Purchase & Sale and Diminished Value.

Appraisals of Personal Property, Art, Boats, Classic & Custom Autos, Collectibles and Memorabilia, Electronics, Machinery, Motorcycles & Choppers, Furnishings, RVs, Trucks & Heavy Equipment. Business Valuations specializing in all types of small businesses.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
P.O. Box 2700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Phone: (772) 359-4300
Fax: (772) 466-8400
Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net

Keywords used in this article: personal property, appraiser, appraisal, art, antiques, furs, musical instruments, collectibles, watch, sports memorabilia, collection, contents, tangible, South Florida

APPRAISING FURS IN FLORIDA - THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY

2011-12-12T17:04:00.000-08:00

FUR APPRAISALS
IN FLORIDA
http://stlucieappraisal.net/

BOCA RATON - A number of furriers and department stores in Florida recommend their customers to St. Lucie Appraisal to appraise the value of their fur coats for donation, estate or insurance purposes. Occasionally, however, owners of minks and chinchillas have to find us on their own. Often, when they do, it is only after a frustrating search for a licensed appraiser. People take their fur purchases very seriously. Exhaustive shopping trips attempting to find just the right fur are common. One can find a broad spectrum of prices for high quality furs. Small furriers can carry a huge selection of furs, much more extensive and even nicer than you find in the high end stores, and often priced much lower. When buying from department stores, try to make the purchase during an annual inventory clearance sale.

Just like your furrier, the person handling your fur coat appraisal should be extremely knowledgable and honest. He should be educated on the desirability of different furs and the quality of workmanship. Whether you plan to buy, sell, donate or insure a fur coat or collection, determining its value by hiring a competent appraiser is important. Florida is a warm weather state but a huge number of furs have migrated here from northern states. Often, in estate dissolutions, values must be determined, especially if assets are being divided among family members. At St. Lucie Appraisal, when it comes to furs, proper identification and thorough research results in accurate valuations and satisfied customers.

FLORIDA IS AN ANTIQUE AND COLLECTIBLES ROADSHOW FOR A PERSONAL PROPERTY APPRAISER

2011-11-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

PEZ FLORIDA ORANGE
http://stlucieappraisal.net/

FORT LAUDERDALE - Sports memorabilia, a first edition book, crystal and vintage cars are all pretty common items that folks want appraised. Ditto for porcelain dolls, die cast cars, baseball jerseys and firearms. Every personal property appraiser in Florida has come across these items at one time or another.

But when we were asked to place a value on a very large collection of Pez dispensers, we figured that we'd seen everything. Now there's nothing unusual about candy-related collectibles, of course, but who knew that they were worth very much? Could their value justify paying an appraiser's fee?

The Pez dispenser shown was appraised for $300.00. Others are worth far more including Disney themed examples and rare models from the 1950s.

Below you will find an assortment of oddities that we have either seen before or have never seen and probably don't expect to.

Well, maybe we're being a bit hasty.....

Advertising, Phillumeny, Matchbooks, Matchboxes, Premiums, Radio premiums, Prizes, Bazooka Joe, Cereal box prizes, Cracker Jack prizes, Pin-back buttons, Avon, Campbell's Soup, Coca-Cola, Disneyana, Disney pins, Harley Davidson, John Deere, Maytag, Ronson Lighters, Zippo lighters, Tazos, Architectural, Fireplace, Furniture, Hardware, Lighting, lamps, lampshades, Locks and keys,Tile, Art, Artifacts, Folk Art, Native American art, Photographs, Prints, Books, magazines, Advertisements, Absolut vodka ads, Got Milk? Ads, Autographs, Map collecting, Globes, Roadmaps, Paperweights, Books and periodicals, Books, Children's literature, First editions, Comic books, Manga, Magazines, Magazine clippings, Newspapers, Cards, trading cards, Phone-cards, Playing cards, Jokers, Tarot cards, Postcards, Trade cards, Cigarette cards, Tea cards, Trading cards, Insert cards, Non-sports cards, Sports cards, Baseball cards, Basketball cards, Football cards, Hockey cards, Jersey cards, Ephemera, Bookmarks, Brochures and Guide books, Cheese labels, Greeting cards, Lottery tickets, Newsletters, Pamphlets, Post cards, Posters, Public transport timetables, Airline timetables, Public transport timetables, Railroad timetables, Tickets, Clothing, fabric, textiles, Buttons, Needlework, Quilts, Scutelliphily, Patches and badges, Sewing, Textiles, Thimbles, Vintage clothing, Coins, currency, stamps, Numismatics, Coin collecting, Notaphily, Paper currency, Exonumia, Token coins, Scripophily, Bonds, Stocks, Philately, Federal duck stamps, First day covers, Postmarks, Stamp collection, Film and television, DVDs, Films, Film props, Movie posters, Television shows, Videocassette tapes ,Glass and pottery, Bakeware and cookware, China, porcelain, pottery, Art pottery, Nippon, Whisky decanters, Jim Beam bottles, Glass, crystal, Art glass, Bread plates, Bottles, Beer bottles, Milk bottles, Perfume bottles, Snuff bottles, Wine bottles, Depression glass, Paperweights, Pattern glass, Shot glass, Appliances, Beverage coasters, Candles, Corks, Figurines, Netsuke, Holiday collectibles, Jewelry and gemstones, Keyrings, Music boxes, Perfume bottles, Sterling silver, Utensils and silverware, Kitchen collectibles, Bottle caps, Beverage cans, Beverage can tabs, Cookie cutters, Cookie jars, Hip flasks, Housewares, Lunch boxes, Mason jars, Refrigerator magnets, Shakers, salt, pepper, sugar, Teapots, Memorabilia, Event memorabilia, Sports memorabilia, Baseballs and baseball bats, Boxing fight programs and posters, World's Fair, Media memorabilia, Film memorabilia, Film props, Movie posters, Organization memorabilia, Police memorabilia, Police patches, Political, Bumper stickers, Campaign buttons, Nazi memorabilia, Scouting memorabilia, merit badges (Boy Scouts of America), Music, Records, CDs, Jukeboxes, Cassette tapes, Musical instruments, Analog synthesizers,Tube amplifiers,Vintage guitars, Nature, Butterfly collecting, Conchology, Crystals, Fossils, Minerals, Gemstones, Insects, Oology, Plants, Rocks, Sports, Golf, Automobilia, Bicycles, Calculators, Clocks and watches, Computers, Fans, Firearms, Fireworks, Fountain pens, Jukeboxes, Knives, Motorcycles, Phonographs, Photographica, Cameras, Movie cameras and projectors, Radios, Record players, Recording media, Film and television, Music,Scales, Scientific instruments, Telephones, Televisions, Tools, Hand tools, Tractors, Vending machines, Weapons, Writing Implements, Inkwells, Airline, Animals, Automotive, Automobiles,Classic cars, Vintage cars, License plates, Oil cans, Farming, Gambling/gaming, Casino chip collecting, Hawaiiana, Orientalia, Historical themes, Breweriana, Beer can, Militaria, American Civil War, Faleristics, Military art, Military models, Military uniforms, Model figures, Tin soldiers, Petroliana, Railroad, Science fiction, Tobacciana, Cigar boxes, Cigar cases, Cigarette cases, Cigarette holders, Lighters, Smoking pipes, Western Americana, Cowboy, Travel themes, Souvenirs, Souvenir spoons, Trunks, Toys, games, dolls, Action figures, Board games, Collectible card games, Dolls, Barbie dolls, Beanie babies, Blythe dolls, Porcelain Dolls, Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls, Teddy bears, Toy soldiers, Figurines, Keshi erasers, Mechanical banks, Model cars, Corgi, Hot Wheels, Matchbox , Webkinz, Model horses, Breyer, Pez, Piggy banks, Playing Cards, Pogs, Rubber duck, Scale models, Model airplanes, Dyna Flites, Herpa Wing, Schabak, Matchbox, Skybusters, Model trains, Ship models, Video games and the list goes on and on.

You need it appraised? We can appraise it.

http://stlucieappraisal.net/
AUTO & PERSONAL PROPERTY
SERVICE THROUGHOUT SOUTH FLORIDA

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
P.O. Box 2700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Phone: (772) 359-4300
Fax: (772) 466-8400
Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net

FIND US FAST IN THE AT&T REAL YELLOW PAGES

Keywords for this article: appraisal, appraiser, baseball jersey, collectibles, crystal, die cast cars, dolls, firearms, first edition book, first edition books, florida, personal property, pez, sports memorabilia

HOW TO APPRAISE ART, ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES & OTHER PERSONAL PROPERTY - THE RIGHT WAY

2011-08-19T04:47:00.000-07:00

APPRAISALS OF ART IN FLORIDA
http://stlucieappraisal.net/

WEST PALM BEACH - An essential part of appraising an item is establishing provenance and then researching what I've found. What's particularly enjoyable is speaking to former owners or sellers of unique pieces of art, transactions that took place years ago, about where they acquired them, details about the artists and any other pertinent and interesting info.

Collectibles and antiques have similar histories that can also prove valuable to an appraiser. The television show "Storage Wars" has illustrated how valuable people's personal property can be. Here in Florida, in the Miami to West Palm Beach corridor in particular - where the wealthy have gathered for generations - investigating items for an appraisal can be an adventure. But what has all of this fun stuff to do with appraising the value of items for financing, insurance, donations, estates, bankruptcy, divorce, guardianships, purchase, sale or what have you?

My correspondences with former owners, galleries, or tradesmen associated with an item sometimes casts a harsh light on the subject. While it's great to learn that a sculpture once belonged to royalty, further enhancing the item's value, it is an infinitely greater feeling to discover that the piece - presumed to be valuable - was created by an assembly line operation back in the 1920s and not worth a fraction of what a seller is asking for it.

Provenance is essential to the proper appraisal of high-end sports memorabilia, rare stamps and coins, musical instruments, rare classic automobiles as well as art because things aren't always exactly what they seem. Being on the short end of a deal can prove to be an expensive mistake as buyers at the recent "Items Seized From Bernie Madoff Auctions" have learned. Online buyers be similarly aware of the scams galore out there in cyberspace. And for those who have purchased art while on cruises, I need go no further.

If a piece of artwork or other valuable item is located in South Florida, rely on a top-notch appraisal firm that is licensed by the State of Florida Department of Financial Services - an appraisal firm that does it the right way.

http://stlucieappraisal.net/
AUTO & PERSONAL PROPERTY
SERVICE THROUGHOUT SOUTH FLORIDA

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
P.O. Box 2700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Phone: (772) 359-4300
Fax: (772) 466-8400
Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net

A PETER MAX PAINTING - APPRAISING UNFORGETTABLE ART IN FLORIDA

2011-06-30T18:18:00.000-07:00

PETER MAX PAINTING
http://stlucieappraisal.net

What are the chances that the largest Peter Max painting ever created would surface in St. Lucie County - Fort Pierce, Florida to be exact? Receiving an assignment to appraise artwork like this wouldn't surprise me coming from Miami or Palm Beach but right here in Fort Pierce? I'd also like to point out that the owners were the most elegant of people. It was my privilege to encounter this very rare piece of art in conjunction with insurance and estate appraisals we conducted in the area. Peter Max’s paintings are generally priced according to size so it is noteworthy that this work, measuring 80” X 62” may be the biggest painting ever done by this artist.

For anyone not already familiar with Mr. Max, since the late 1960's, when I first remember seeing his pop-art work adorning entire sides of New York City transit buses, he has been a prolific artist of great renown. This work of art was painted in 1970. Mr. Max signed and dated the painting, also making the inscription "NYC." It is interesting to note the painting was purchased the same year as it was created, in Little Rock, AR, more than one thousand miles west of New York City.

There are little pleasures associated with finding, researching and evaluating the fair market value of almost everything we encounter - antique cars, trucks and heavy construction equipment, RVs, motorcycles, art, antiques and all the rest of the unique things people own.

Whether you plan to insure, make a donation or finance a valuable item, The St. Lucie Appraisal Company can assure that you will have documentation of its true worth.

http://stlucieappraisal.net/
AUTO & PERSONAL PROPERTY
SERVICE THROUGHOUT SOUTH FLORIDA

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
P.O. Box 2700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Phone: (772) 359-4300
Fax: (772) 466-8400
Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net

APPRAISING CONTENTS & VALUABLES. ARE YOUR FLORIDA APPRAISERS LICENSED?

2011-03-29T05:06:00.000-07:00

INSURE YOUR VALUABLES
http://stlucieappraisal.net/

FLORIDA - If you live in South Florida, it's possible that you've called us to inquire what we could do to mitigate your loss of uninsured valuables after they were stolen or lost in some other manner. If you hadn't taken out a personal property endorsement, your insurer most likely informed you that these items weren't covered under the contents portion of your homeowner's policy. Your insurance agent may have forgotten to tell you about that.
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Your only hope of recovery will be to inquire whether the lost items are tax-deductible. So, with our best wishes for success, first call your accountant. Then you'll know whether or not you'll need us to piece something together for you. Please tell us you've at least kept a descriptive inventory with corroborating photos.

Have valuables? Insure them.

Ann Douglas from the very informative web site DoorFly.com has written to St. Lucie Appraisal both to complement our articles and to let us know how many of their own blog posts might be of interest to us. While our business is appraising contents, art, collectibles, antique cars and the like, DoorFly.com concerns itself with matters involving real estate. Their articles about contractors, home insurance, building a house, getting a mortgage, selling a home, realtors, shopping for condos, etc. are a must-read for anyone with these objectives in mind.
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Ann writes, "I have become a frequent reader of your blog and we recently posted an article “10 Things Not Covered by Home Insurance” that dovetails well with your viewers. Perhaps you would be interested in sharing with them. Thanks again for the great content, and I hope the article I've linked primes your interest."

Here's the link: http://blog.doorfly.com/articles/2011/10-things-not-covered-by-home-insurance

FLORIDA LICENSED
ADJUSTERS & APPRAISERS
http://stlucieappraisal.net/

In response to an article we published about licensed vs. non-licensed appraisers doing business in the State:
Russell: "In Florida, it seems as though people are confusing accreditation with licensure. Every question that has been asked about licensure has been answered from an accreditation standpoint. An appraiser may be accredited to provide insurance services in New York but it doesn't mean that they have a license to practice in Florida.”

Fran: "True story. In trying unsuccessfully to find an appraiser to act as a third-party umpire in an insurance dispute, I called Farmer's Insurance, Markel Insurance as well as a few other insurers who use independent appraisers in an attempt to locate one. What I learned was basically that every independent appraiser in the area was unlicensed. These weren't just mom and pop operations; some of these appraisers worked for national adjusting firms."

Florida Statutes 626.855: Any person who is self-employed or is associated with or employed by an independent adjusting firm or other independent adjuster, and who undertakes on behalf of an insurer to ascertain and determine to amount of the claim, loss, or damage payable under an insurance contract or undertakes to effect settlement of such claim, loss or damage must possess a RESIDENT INDEPENDENT ADJUSTER license from The State of Florida Department of Financial Services.

Robert Bryant: I don't know how significant the fines and/or penalties are for insurors using unlicensed professionals. If a serious accident occurs involving an auto or heavy truck that was repaired under the terms of an appraisal and agreement between a repairer and someone found to be unlicensed, I wouldn't want to be that VP of Claims.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
P.O. Box 2700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Phone: (772) 359-4300
Fax: (772) 466-8400
Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net

APPRAISALS OF ART, COLLECTIBLES AND PERSONAL PROPERTY - SERVICE THROUGHOUT SOUTH FLORIDA

2011-03-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

APPRAISALS OF ART AND
PERSONAL PROPERTY
http://stlucieappraisal.net/

When a customer calls to inquire about having something appraised, the first thing we ask is for what purpose is the appraisal being done. In fact, if you are planning to hire any appraiser, if he or she doesn't ask that question early on in the conversation, chances are you'll receive an incomplete or useless report. How does one go about finding a competent appraiser?

Is your appraiser licensed in the state where you live? In Florida, an appraiser may not perform any type of appraisal that pertains to insurance without an adjusters license from the State of Florida Department of Financial Services. The requirements read: Any person who undertakes on behalf of an insurer to ascertain and determine to amount of the claim, loss, or damage payable under an insurance contract or undertakes to effect settlement of such claim, loss or damage.

Most appraisers you'll find are not licensed, rather, they obtain credentials in other ways. A person must have a clean record, for instance, to obtain an adjusters license in all states. You'll find plenty of fraud in the world of auctions and appraisals and a conviction for such an offense disqualifies an appraiser from licensure. The American Society of Appraisers in Washington, D.C. is just one organization for appraisers. One need not be licensed in order to receive an ASA designation. After passing an examination, all you need is money - the annual dues are $560.00 after an initial payment of $565.00.

One important difference between a licensed appraiser and appraisers with other types of accreditations and certifications is that a licensed appraiser is held to higher standards, both ethically and professionally, by virtue of the fact that his or her license may be revoked. Conversely, the only way an accredited or certified appraiser can lose their designation is for failure to pay membership dues in a timely manner. In cases where expert testimony is given, judges and arbitrators recognize the legitimacy of licensure over other types of qualifications. Often, the outcome of legal decisions hinges on details such as these.

Have questions? We are always glad to help. In fact, we turn away more work than we take in after hearing some of the things people want appraised. We try to be fair and always strive to provide prompt, professional service to our customers.

APPRAISAL SERVICES FROM MIAMI TO MELBOURNE

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
P.O. Box 2700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Phone: (772) 359-4300
Fax: (772) 466-8400
Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net

ART & ANTIQUES, THE APPRAISAL PROCEDURE AND WHETHER YOU NEED ONE

2011-02-05T09:04:00.000-08:00

ART APPRAISALS
http://stlucieappraisal.net/

MIAMI - Owners of valuable items often call St. Lucie Appraisal to ask about our services. Some of the descriptions and stories about the items are fascinating. It is the nature of the business that we turn away more assignments than we accept though. Most of the time callers aren't purchasing, insuring or donating things - or divorcing or going bankrupt - rather, they are simply looking to sell. They don't need an appraiser, they need eBay.

This week I had the pleasure of meeting a Cuban-American family in Hialeah and viewing an oil painting of Jesus Christ. The painting had been purchased in post-war Europe by an uncle who brought it home but never attempted a restoration or tried to display it. The work of art had been passed down and the new owners were curious as to both it's value and origin. There was lore about it being an original Rembrandt or that it was painted in the 15th century. The family has wisely decided to insure it.

While most of the paintings and sculptures we appraise are identifiable through various avenues of research, others are so obscure as to have no references anywhere. So it was with this painting that had no kin in any library or online resource I searched. The painting style was definitely not Rembrandt. The canvas and what was left of the frame were many centuries old though. The paint and varnish was chipping and cracked. The canvas had become practically see-through along some of the edges. Only the top portion of the frame was still attached. The rest of the frame and stretcher bar was gone. This was a delicate piece, indeed, any nothing like we had ever seen before.

How do we appraise an item that gives no indication of origin and has no verifiable comparables? As businessmen our time is valuable but ethics also prevents us from taking money under false pretenses. The family decided to pay us a minimum fee for the inspection and subsequent research which included a telephone call to The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC who agreed to identify the painting.

Once their assessment is complete we'll have an idea of what to do next. I am hoping that it turns out to be of interest to a museum or collector and very, very valuable. Everyone has read a story about a priceless work of art that had been valued at only a few thousand dollars by some appraiser somewhere. At The St. Lucie Appraisal Company, we try to make absolutely certain that story will never be about us.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
P.O. Box 2700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Phone: (772) 359-4300
Fax: (772) 466-8400
Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net

APPRAISING MATRYOSHKA AND OTHER PERSONAL PROPERTY IN FLORIDA

2011-01-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

MATRYOSHKA
http://stlucieappraisal.net/

MIAMI - Since receiving our first appraisal assignment for a Matryoshka collection (Russian Nesting Dolls) I have obviously learned a lot, viewed many beautiful examples and developed an appreciation for the art. These outstanding pieces of art haven't lost value like most other categories of collectibles.

In Florida, particularly Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, eclectic treasures gather from all parts of the world. These examples as well as antiques, art and other ephemera make being an appraiser fun. These dolls, also known as "babushka" were created in the late 1800s in Russia where they are still made today.

Most personal property consists of items purchased from local furniture, electronics and appliance stores so evaluating their worth is easy. We charge about $325 to prepare an appraisal for the contents of the average 3/2. Add rare art, collectibles, antiques, etc. and that figure can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars - especially if extensive inventorying is required. One day I'll write an article about my encounter with a room full of more than a thousand Barbie dolls.

Please feel free to call The St. Lucie Appraisal Company when you need an appraisal for a stated value policy, donations, estates, bankruptcy, divorce, purchase and sale, etc. Your questions are always welcome. Service from Miami to Melbourne!

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company

P.O. Box 2700

Fort Pierce, FL 34954

Phone: (772) 359-4300

Fax: (772) 466-8400

Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net

PERSONAL PROPERTY APPRAISERS - DOING A THOROUGH JOB PAYS OFF

2010-12-28T09:33:00.000-08:00

ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL CO.
A JOB WELL-DONE

MIAMI - I'm pleased to reprint this letter of recommendation that one of our Florida customers posted on a review site. After completing appraisals, our policy is to send a memo to our clients advising them where they can review our company's products and services. Of course, this can be a double-edged sword. If there are complaints about any aspect of what we do it reflects negativelyon the company. Potential customers can be swayed by bad reviews. Some of these sites like http://insiderpages.com/ or http://yelp.com/ reach millions of readers online.

"What sets the St. Lucie Appraisal Co. apart from most personal property appraisers is their thoroughness. Two weeks after our report was completed they called because an art gallery returned their call to add info on a painting that resulted in a higher value. They re-did our report and the insurance company was fine with it. Not too many professionals go out of their way to re-open cases if they don't have to but these guys did."

This was an instance where an art gallery owner contacted me with information about a painting I had been researching. A similar work of art had been sold for much more than my evaluation. Even though my customer had no way of knowing about the call, the only right thing to do was to inform them that I'd be revising my appraisal to reflect the increased value.

For the thirty extra minutes it took to update the evaluation and mail it to my customer, St. Lucie Appraisal received a great review that will be read by many people.

Word-of-mouth is the best marketing tool a business can have.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
P.O. Box 2700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Tel: 772-359-4300
Fax: 772-466-8400
eMail: contact@stlucieappraisal.net
Web Site: http://stlucieappraisal.net/

APPRAISING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS - RULES FOR DONATING TO CHARITIBLE ORGANIZATIONS IN FLORIDA

2010-11-24T15:40:00.000-08:00

APPRAISALS OF ALL TYPES OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

The St. Lucie Appraisal Co.
P.O. Box 2700, Fort Pierce, FL 34954
772-359-4300
http://stlucieappraisal.net/

FIND US FAST UNDER “APPRAISERS” IN THE AT&T REAL YELLOW PAGES

Service throughout South Florida

Since the Internal Revenue Service changed its rules prohibiting the appraisal of donated items by “Excluded Individuals” our company has seen an increase in the number of requests to appraise musical instruments. If you wish to donate a piano purchased from your store, for instance, the accompanying appraisal cannot be prepared by them anymore.

Please feel free to call St. Lucie Appraisal when you need appraisals for donations of personal property, insurance or any other reason. We arrive promptly, complete our reports in a timely manner and we will will work with you to make sure that you obtain the highest tax credit available for your donated items .

We are USPAP Compliant and Licensed by The State of Florida

BANKRUPTCY LAW AND YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY

2010-11-18T04:56:00.000-08:00

Disclosing all of your assets in a bankruptcy schedule is mandatory. In a Chapter 7 case, unless exemptions or an injunction exist, everything you own becomes the property of your creditors. In a Chapter 11 case, a debtor usually retains his possessions while a restructuring of debt takes place. The debtor may elect to exempt certain items from the bankruptcy estate through an "ownership allowance" found in the Means Test, a determination of whether the debtor qualifies for Chapter 7 protection. An assignment given to St. Lucie Appraisal involving Tangible Personal Property usually is in connection with a Chapter 7 filing in Florida.

Will you be able to get in your car and drive away from all of this? In Ransom v. MBNA AMERICA BANK, in 2007, The United States Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the 9th Circuit Court made an interesting ruling with regard to motor vehicles. If you own your car outright, it is fair game and becomes a part of the personal property you will forfeit. However, if you owe even one payment the situation reverses; you can elect to keep your wheels. In essence, you are buying the unprotected equity in the car. You may place a lien on the automobile yourself in order to qualify for the car allowance by creating a simple written promissory note. Regarding the ownership of multiple vehicles, the Court also made provisions as to amounts of expenses allowable to the debtor, depending on the region the debtor resides and/or the number of cars the debtor possesses. As always, consult your legal advisor for a firm clarification of your rights under current bankruptcy law. There are also a number of blogs and other on-line articles which offer assistance.

Here is a part of the Courts conclusion:

The bankruptcy court determined that, by deducting a vehicle ownership expense under § 707(b)(2)(A)(ii)(I) for a car that he owned free of encumbrances, the debtor did not devote all of his projected disposable income to fund the plan. The bankruptcy court thus denied plan confirmation pursuant to § 1325(b)(1)(B). We agree with the courts that hold that a debtor has no right to deduct a vehicle ownership expense when he or she makes no lease or loan payments on the vehicle. Under § 707(b)(2)(A)(ii)(I), the deduction of a vehicle ownership expense only applies to the debtor when he or she has that particular expense.

Explain why you feel that you are entitled to avoid a lien on some or all of your Personal Property. Items that may be necessary for you to make a living are good examples. Make a case why your living room furniture has little or no resale value. Your local bar association can refer you to a lawyer specializing in bankruptcies. The preceeding link is for Martin County, Florida bar association. One final word regarding your choice of attorneys. While a competent practitioner can save you a lot of time, money and emotional stress, you would do well to interview a few of them. Have they represented trustees and creditors as well as debtors? Legal fees aren't inconsequential so find out what services are included and whether you'll have an open channel of communication. If your legal team negotiates a good outcome on your behalf it will be a major step toward a fresh start.

IT IS DONATION SEASON AGAIN. GET YOUR TAX CREDITS NOW.

2010-11-16T11:04:00.000-08:00

Donating items to charitable organizations benefits not only all of the worthy causes out there but you, the taxpayer, as well. For those who don't know, when you donate an item to charity, you may deduct the appraised amount from your federal taxes. You must make your donation within the same calender year as you are filing for and, for items over $500.00, obtain an appraisal (also tax-deductible) from a state licensed appraiser such as The St. Lucie Appraisal Company. We will also provide you with a completed IRS Form # 8283.

In Florida, along with the well-known charities like The Red Cross, The Salvation Army and Feed the Children, there are local organizations including Episcopal Charities of Southeast Florida and A Second Chance Puppy and Kitten Rescue and Treasure Coast Hospice.

One of the advantages to donating items such as electronics and automobiles is that depreciable items such as these will tend to be at worth a lot more now than in a few short years. This is especially true if parts necessary to make vital repairs become unavailable. Another factor to consider is the market. Except for the highest-end items, these may include collectibles, antiques, boats, etc., merely valuable tangible personal properties aren't attracting the number of buyers they once did. Our appraisals reflect market values which are based on what someone will pay for something in an arm's length transaction.

IRS Publication 561 can help explain more about the requirements and benefits of donating. Our company performs market value appraisals throughout South Florida. Email contact@stlucieappraisal.net if you have any questions or comments about this article.

APPRAISALS OF WATCHES AND OTHER VALUABLE TIMEPIECES

2010-10-28T07:07:00.000-07:00

It is with pride that collectors display the objects of their passions. None take more care in maintaining and insuring the safety of their collections than watch lovers. From the avante-garde to more classic styles, timepieces represent technical excellence. They are incomparably crafted and the designs rival any art you will find in museums. Great watches are symbols of both prosperity and infinity. Many companies have made watches since the 1700s. They are prestigious dynasties and owning a piece of them is an incomparable feeling. Most of us appreciate the individualism that such an accessory represents. Properly insuring your collection is of paramount importance.

Appraising the value of a watch is difficult though. Rarity of many classic watches and clocks makes using comparables almost impossible. Therefore, appraiser's discretion must be used. Even the obscure pocket watch is enjoying a renaissance. Many timepieces were horological revolutions and are considered for their historical significance as much as for their features. Extraordinary designs and innovations such as the chronograph that were revelations in their time retain value.

Here is a list of watchmakers, mostly Swiss, whose products are considered the most collectible.

Rolex
A. Lange & Sohne
Richard Mille
Bovet Fleurier
Bulgari
Chopard
Audemars Piguet
Cartier
Van Cleef & Arpels
Parmigiani
Jaquet Droz
Patek Phillippe
Girard-Perregaux
Vacheron Constantin
Blancpain
Milus
Harry Winston
Franc Vila
Panerai
Piaget
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Glashutte
Montblanc
Jacob & Co
Carl F. Bucherer
Hermes
Bovet Fleurier
Hublot
Graff
Bell & Ross
DeWitt
F.P. Journe
Victorinox
Corum
Ulysse Nardin
Urwerk
Breitling
Ulysse Nardin Forgerons
Zenith
Cvstos
Anonimo
de Grisogono
Arnold & Som
Franck Muller
Graham
IWC
Roger Dubius

Also to be considered in evaluating timepieces are limited editions which are, naturally, rarer and more collectible. Resources such as The International Watch and Jewelry Guild (IWJG) and National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) may also be consulted for their expertise. The St. Lucie Appraisal Company takes pride in providing accurate evaluations of all types of collectibles including watches and other timepieces. Please feel free to call 772-359-4300 with any questions or to request an appraisal from us.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
P.O. Box 2700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Phone: (772) 359-4300
Fax: (772) 466-8400
Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net

SMALL BUSINESS VALUATIONS

2010-08-14T06:05:00.000-07:00

Today I'd like to write about the different ways a professional can go about evaluating a business. Hidden deep in places only the current owner knows are minefields like pending lawsuits, staffs made up almost exclusively of relatives and insider information about cash transactions that could be much greater or less, depending on who is asking questions. Were the businesses furnishings and equipment purchased new or at rock bottom prices from an auctioneer? If new, how long ago? What does the lease look like? Is there room to expand either the facility or the product line? Of particular importance is how long the business has thrived in it's present incarnation (products, location, etc.). Those occupying the same structure for many years should be required to produce lots of financial records. Conversely, newer businesses must be judged and appraised by a different set of standards - using an asset based valuation method. Where is the business located? It almost seems like different standards apply as to general locations too. In Miami, Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach you'll find more unusual situations than in smaller cities such as Stuart or Fort Pierce. In rural Florida, where development significantly alters demographics, new business ventures can be like buying Lottery tickets - guaranteeing success is impossible because there's no set of statistics to rely on.

Restaurants, of course, always seem like logical investments for both those already in that business as well as the dreamers among us. Want to sell liquor? The liquor license alone could be the establishment's most valuable asset or no more than a convenience item. Liability insurance rates usually increase dramatically once liquor is added. If the place doesn't serve liquor, perhaps, as we have here in Florida, it serves wine and beer only. Is a liquor license obtainable - and for how much? The clear deterioration in restaurant spending hits specialty restaurants particularly hard. This factor must be addressed if you plan to sell sushi instead of sandwiches. Does the restaurant have intangible assets such as customer lists, contracts or affiliations with groups using the facility for meetings, etc? Have they developed an online presence such as a web site or blog?

Regardless of the type of business there are other important considerations such as competition from like businesses, is there a strong management team in place, does the business offer diversified products, can it withstand a weak declining market? Become familiar with the term "intrinsic value." It is basically the study of quality or value. Assuming it performs well, will you be happy in this business?

Want to open a nursery and shop along a busy state highway? How far from Wal-Mart and Home Depot's plant shops? When it comes to ornamentals, it may seem as if there is an overabundance of wholesalers out there but when stocks are low and the big box guys both out-order and out-bid you there's nothing you can do - unless the plant wholesaler is your cousin, and even then the percentages are probably against you.

An appraiser or CPA can give you a big edge in purchasing existing businesses. We'll find answers to both the important questions and those that might seem trivial but usually aren't. Truthfully, it's not rocket science and anyone can do it but preparing a thorough report is time consuming. Have lots of time on your hands? Do it yourself. Before long, you'll get the hang of it. Need a better, more experienced set of eyes to do it for you? Spend a few thousand dollars and sleep better at night on that mattress full of cash your small business earned for you. Call a Business Valuation Appraiser such as St. Lucie Appraisal or a CPA.

http://stlucieappraisal.net/
AUTO & PERSONAL PROPERTY
SERVICE THROUGHOUT SOUTH FLORIDA

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
P.O. Box 2700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Phone: (772) 359-4300
Fax: (772) 466-8400
Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net

FIND US FAST IN THE AT&T REAL YELLOW PAGES

STOLEN COMIC BOOKS - ARE YOU PREPARED TO LOSE EVERYTHING AND GET NOTHING IN RETURN?

2010-07-04T19:24:00.000-07:00

THEFT - Approximately 38 comic books were reported stolen from a private residence near Indianapolis, Indiana on May 4th, 2010. According to the owner, all of the books were graded by the CGC in Sarasota, Florida and were in graded/slabbed condition when they were taken from the residence.

THEFT - A rare first edition of the Spider-Man comic is among $20,000 worth of comics that have been stolen at gunpoint in New York.

THEFT -Bellevue police think they're close to catching someone who stole about 6,000 comic books last month from a home north of downtown in the 10000 block of Northeast 15th Street. The owner had stored the comic books at the residence in January and reported them missing late in May.

THEFT - My comic book collection was stolen from a communal storage locker area in my apartment building. I most likely left my locker open, and 1 of the 9 other locker room users found my locker open. Otherwise a maintenance person with a key broke in and stole the books.

THEFT - At 4:40 p.m., a Polnell Road resident reported that a previous renter stole a 1930s comic book from him.

THEFT - A not-so-friendly neighborhood thief was sentenced Thursday to seven years in prison for stealing a rare 1963 Spider-Man collector's comic book. Authorities never recovered the second-edition comic, based on the fictional Peter Parker, otherwise known as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

In most cases, the former owners of these stolen comic books hadn't adequately insured their collections. Losing prized possessions such as these is bad enough but to realize that coverage could have been obtained for less than 2% of the value stings even worse. The St. Lucie Appraisal Company can inventory and appraise your collection enabling you to purchase such a policy.

Don't be a Jughead. Have collectibles? Insure them.

PERSONAL PROPERTY ENDORSEMENTS. ARE YOU PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH?

2010-06-11T16:10:00.000-07:00

The success of PBS' "Antiques Roadshow" made people realize that they might own potentially valuable items. Homeowners began purchasing additional coverage for items that would ordinarily be subject to loss limitations in a typical homeowner’s policy. Valuable works of art, fine jewelry, extensive coin collections, and other unique items have always been insured through Inland Marine policies. Other personal property includes cameras, furs, musical instruments, silverware, sporting equipment, glassware, memorabilia, stamp and coin collections, firearms and other unique items. Even baseball card and comic book collections or old train sets are worth protecting.

In the past, only wealthy collectors purchased endorsements called personal property riders, to cover valuable items. Many insurers offer policies specifically for this purpose. It is important to discuss the limitations of your homeowner’s policy with your agent. Many people are under the false assumption that their HO insurance will reimburse them for anything that is stolen or destroyed. It’s a rude awakening to discover your $15,000 engagement ring gone and that you are only covered for $1,000. Those old baseballs that were autographed by Mantle and Mays that got soaked during the hurricanes? Don’t expect your insurer to get all nostalgic and reimburse you for their full value.

Without a personal property endorsement, regardless of whether you’ve kept an inventory and photos of your valuable stuff, when disaster strikes, you might as well hand the adjuster a blank sheet of paper. You’ll only receive the policy limit and that’s all.

From “Insurance for Dummies”: To get what you deserve for your collections at claim time, you need to document every item to prove its existence for the claims inventory and to prove its condition for the valuation. You need to authenticate the originality of items whose value depends on their originality. You need to make sure your policy limit on belongings is high enough to cover all your collectibles and all other, normal, personal property. And, finally, you need to make sure that the kinds of losses that can damage your collections (breakage for sculptures, water damage for books) are covered.

The most important part is to make sure you obtain adequate coverage.

Next, provide an appraisal to your insuror.

Then, go and get a good night’s sleep.

APPRAISING BOATS-THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN APPRAISER AND A MARINE SURVEYOR

2010-05-25T06:32:00.000-07:00

Most of the requests we receive for boat appraisals involve smaller craft, usually under 30 feet long. The reasons for the assignments range from insurance underwriting to divorce settlements. Mega-yachts and commercial vessels are generally appraised by marine surveyors who have specialized knowledge necessary to establish both value and seaworthiness. These types of companies, however, cost much more than appraisers. Here in Florida there are more different types of boats and personal watercraft than anywhere else in the world. Despite the fact that anyone can call himself a marine surveyor and open a business, I've found that most of the gentlemen to be credible. Many of them are boat builders or designers themselves. But to hire a marine surveyor for a small boat or personal watercraft appraisal is like engaging a heart surgeon to remove a wart. Why pay big bucks for such a little job? Large damage claims or oversight of repairs or construction are jobs for marine surveyors. Valuation appraisals of small to mid-size pleasure boats are jobs for appraisers.

Appraising boats to determine their value entails not only a knowledge of the subject vessel but the ability to research it properly. Research takes time and it is what you are paying for. An appraiser charges between $75-$125/Hr while marine surveyors can cost five times that. Most insurance companies and banks require appraisals on older boats so shop wisely because it is you who is paying for the report, not the bank. If you need an oil-analysis test, by all means call a marine surveyor. If you need to know the value of a boat, call The St. Lucie Appraisal Company. Service throughout South Florida.

TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY APPRAISALS-SERVICE THROUGHOUT FLORIDA

2010-04-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

Each of Florida's counties has a Property Appraiser who establishes the value of your real estate, personal property and business equipment. The Internal Revenue Service says tangible personal property (TPP) includes but is not limited to paintings, watercolors, prints, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, furniture, decorative arts, antiques, textiles, carpets, silver, rare manuscripts, historical memorabilia, antiquities, ethnographic art, collectibles, gems and jewelry. Machinery and equipment and other items classified as personal property are all intended for inclusion.

It is possible that you may be in need of valuation assistance when your county's property appraiser has overestimated the worth of your TPP. Factors such as depreciation and market conditions can cause the value of many items to fluctuate. It is up to you to present a case whereby you can dispute their findings.

From antiques to electronics to farm equipment, taxable items are a great source of revenue for governments. An increasing number of requests for appraisals have come from businesses who report that they are being targeted for the first time. Only by researching and documenting specific information can an appraiser defend your opinions regarding values. The objective is to resolve the issue as early in the examination as possible. Credible and compelling work by the valuator will facilitate resolution of issues without litigation. An added bonus is that once you have won your case before the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) you'll enjoy those tax benefits in subsequent years as well.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company can appraise your tangible personal property and business equipment. When a licensed appraiser presents his valuation report, it becomes the Property Appraiser's responsibility to refute it with their own appraisal. In my experience, this measure is rarely taken in the face of competent evidence as to the value of your TPP.

APPRAISING COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS AND ORIGINAL ART

2010-04-17T08:28:00.000-07:00

APPRAISALS OF
COMIC BOOKS
http://stlucieappraisal.net/

MIAMI - Know someone who literally owns a room full of comic books? Then you probably also know someone who hasn't insured his or her room full of comics for anywhere near what they are worth. Think your homeowners or flood policy will cover your loss? Think again. Better yet, call your insurance broker to ask whether your $100,000 collection is safe. Much smarter to be safe than sorry.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company is sometimes called upon to place values on comic book collections but usually in bankruptcy, divorce, donation, estate or guardianship proceedings. Whereas collectors and sellers of comic books once purchased insurance to protect their assets, that practice is now as rare as the comics themselves.

"Well, what could happen to my comic book collection, realistically speaking?" My first response might be " a burst water pipe or sewer line" or "theft while you are vacationing" might be another. Here in Florida, comic book collections stored in attics or any room for that matter are subject to hurricanes tossing them in every direction for twenty miles.

If you read comic book-related sites there are always pleas for the public to be on the lookout for comics or original art pages that were stolen. A well-known former editor at Marvel and DC Comics recently suffered a house fire that destroyed thousands of pristine old comics. The comic book collecting community raised awareness of his loss and asked for donations of comics to replace his collection. Don't expect the same consideration after you've suffered the loss of your uninsured collection. Remember, simply having an inventory of your comic book collection won't help if they aren't properly insured.

Of course, there are appraisals and there are appraisals. Placing a value on a few high-end collectible comic books requires different appraisal technique than does evaluating a large collection. The latest batch was sent to me in 125 short boxes. Contained within were nice first issues and complete collections from the 60s to the 90s. Now there were early X-Men in there that are worth thousands but the later stuff wasn't as desireable - much of it in the fifty-cent range. This collector's aim was to insure the entire collection. Her instructions were to provide a general overview and valuation appraisal for her insurance underwriter. She also figured that she'd spring for a more detailed appraisal if either the insuror requested it or there was a discrepancy between what I'd valued the collection at and what they felt it was worth.

As an appraiser catalogs a collection that isn't being evaluated on a book-by-book basis, he formulates a summary of the value of the entire lot that becomes an average value per issue. Had the expensive comics been more prevalent, the estimation of the average price of each book would be higher but as I started encountering the less-desirable books at about 25% of the collection, that estimation started to drop.

Here's the results of the appraisal and the formula I used to obtain the final amount.

Value of Collection: 179 Short Boxes X 150 comics bagged but not boarded 26,850 comic books X $3.00/Each = $80,550.00

Original comic art and high-end comics can't be appraised in the above manner as prices for these, even in this time of recession, continue to skyrocket. From that perspective, having these items appraised makes even more sense.

Whether the comic book collection resides here in Florida or elsewhere in the world, your interests will be well-served by hiring The St. Lucie Appraisal Company to evaluate it. Appraisals for insurance underwriting and claims, donations, guardianship, estate liquidation, divorce, bankruptcy and purchase or sale.

http://stlucieappraisal.net/
AUTO & PERSONAL PROPERTY
SERVICE THROUGHOUT SOUTH FLORIDA

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
P.O. Box 2700
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
Phone: (772) 359-4300
Fax: (772) 466-8400
Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net

HOW TO ENJOY CHRISTMAS AFTER A HURRICANE DESTROYS YOUR HOME

2009-12-25T08:55:00.000-08:00

ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL CO.
HURRICANE ANDREW 1992

One of the most commonly asked questions of an appraiser is "How can people enjoy Christmas after losing everything they own including their home, collectibles, antiques and more?"

Imagine, you and your family sitting down to dinner on a warm summer evening when reports begin arriving on TV about a huge weather system heading toward you.

After gathering your clothing and some important papers, you left before the massive storm hit. And then, almost as soon as the plane landed, stories started spreading about the widespread destruction. And then later, the realization that everything was gone.

Now it's Christmas, months have passed since the storm and you and the Missus are soaking up the sun in the Bahamas. The kids are skiing in Vail. Talking about the disaster comes easy, however. "What a relief that we had our home and all of our possessions inventoried, appraised and insured." If you called St. Lucie Appraisal, you'll be fairly compensated because of our commitment to being the best personal property appraisers in Florida. "Yes, and how nice it was to receive that huge insurance check! Who knew our collectibles alone were worth that much?" You're having a hard time trying to figure out how you'll spend all that money. Ordering another round of Mojitos comes easy too, primarily because you weren't penny wise and pound foolish. Unlike most of your neighbors, you made sure to obtain insurance for all the items your homeowners policy didn't cover.

Disasters are always unwelcome and usually unexpected events. Have valuables, maybe a few boxes of baseball cards or other collections? Make certain they are properly insured. It could be the difference between Christmas in a FEMA trailer or drinking cold Mojitos on the beach in Bimini.

Your choice.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company serves all of South Florida including Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Brevard Counties. Your questions are always welcome. contact@stlucieappraisal.net

CALL YOUR INSURANCE AGENT NOW

2009-12-22T05:56:00.000-08:00

Most insurance companies will cover up to $2,500 of arts, collectibles and antiques in your homeowner's policy. Is your stuff worth more than that? If so, have it inventoried, appraised and insured. They may limit the collection to a percentage of the total value of your home. Comic books, baseball cards, hot wheels cars, depression glass, art, aviation prints, autographs, stamps and coins, old dolls and antiques are just some of the things you'll find are not adequately insured under your homeowners policy. Our company handles appraisals of all types of collectibles and personal property throughout Florida.

A recent survey conducted by Chubb Insurance found that many people did not know the limitations of their coverage or what the coverage actually would pay if an item was lost, broken, or stolen. An appraisal is how they can determine the value of your collection.

Most collectibles are items that appreciate with time. There are carriers that will pay up to 150% of your coverage amount if at the time of loss your item has appreciated over the amount you are currently insured for. Breakage coverages will cover items for breakage or damage. Most homeowners policies will not cover this type of loss. A mysterious disappearance floater will cover items that are lost or misplaced and if a single piece of a pair or set is damaged, lost or destroyed, you can have the option to surrender the remaining piece and recover the total value of the set.

People put a lot of time and money into their collections. And their collections are likely worth a lot more money than they think. Regrettably, collectors often don't find out that their collections were underinsured, or not insured at all, until after the damage has occurred.

There are many web sites where you can obtain additional information about insuring your collectibles. One such site is http://www.collectorsresources.com/ where you will be introduced to many helpful resources.

It is most likely you will choose an all risks policy which will insure your valuables against everything from fire to nuclear attack. If it is necessary for you to travel with your collection, most specialty policies will provide coverage to and from your destination.

"My insurance company tells me my claim is not covered due to a particular provision in my policy." Don't ever be the poor guy or gal saying these words. Have valuable stuff? Have it appraised.

Bet you didn't know that St. Lucie Appraisal will permanently document your collection and amend it whenever you add other significant items. Contact us at contact@stlucieappraisal.net

antiques APPRAISAL APPRAISER art FLORIDA PERSONAL_PROPERTY collectibles memorabilia contents south florida st_lucie_appraisal st_lucie_county martin_county palm_beach_county broward_county dade_county miami fort_lauderdale west_palm_beach stuart port_st_lucie fort_pierce vero_beach Melbourne 5U74W63FCTAH

HOW WE APPRAISE RARE BOOKS AT ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL

2009-12-19T05:34:00.000-08:00

Let me start by telling everyone reading this that you probably don't have a 1st Edition James Joyce hidden among your books or in that big box of dusty old volumes you found at a yard sale or flea market. The chances are even less here in Florida. As a long-time personal property appraiser, I know.

Treasure stories like that exist, of course, and are true for the most part. I recently read an account of a couple who placed a very rare and valuable book, which had been stolen from an exhibition, in a box of books that was for sale at a bazaar. They were caught when they subsequently tried to sell it for thousands of dollars. Their defense that they had found the book at the bazaar didn't wash with the jury, unfortunately for them. Rarer than rare books themselves is the chance you'll find one just floating around.

Is your library of books worth anything substantial? While the written accounts of aviators is of no interest to most of us, the fact that aviation books have a dedicated following automatically creates a market for them. Did grandpa buy a book about Jimmy Doolittle that lies forgotten somewhere on the top shelf? Maybe he even had it autographed during a book tour that came through town once upon a time.

From out-of-print books to signed editions to used textbooks, all publications have value. Magazines and even ads that were torn from them are desireable to collectors and curio buyers. Have one or two interesting items? Do your own research to find out what they're worth. Have a much larger collection? Better call your insuror who can advise you how to proceed. They will likely request an appraisal of the books and then write a floater policy to protect your investment.

Condition definitely affects what a collector is willing to pay for a book. There are more terms identifying different parts of a book than you would think. And twice as many descriptions of condition or damage pertaining to each of them. Some examples: sides dust-soiled, corners rubbed, hinges reinforced, page repaired with small portion of image lacking, inner margin reinforced, and some reinforcements affecting sharpness of image, two leaves supplied from another edition. Staining and spotting variously, generally light,a few early inked marks of emphasis, and scattered marginalia in English. Spine sunning and crack along top back edge. Spine of volume slightly darkened, and some spotting; interior clean and lovely. Spine with gilt-stamped title; some rubbing and with a bit of green discoloration to paper of front cover. Minor offsetting to frontispiece and title-page; mild to moderate foxing in first third of volume and to last few pages. Believe it or not, values depend on minute condition differences such as these.

The rarity of a book has a lot to do with its value. A first edition of the collected works of Shakespeare published in 1623 sold recently for more than $6 million, a record price for the Bard’s works. Not too many of those lying around.

Some book dealers advertise book appraisal services but bear in mind that their profits depend on their buying low and selling high so tread carefully. Some appraisers may provide you with "judgement call" appraisals while others use data from sales reports, auctions and on-line marketplaces like EBay. Our guidelines require us to research all of our assignments before arriving at a fair market value.

An appraiser must process a great deal of information, making it a very specialized profession. Our reports must be accurate so insurance underwriting and claims, diminished value, bankruptcy, donation, estate or community property issues can be resolved equitably.

Getting the opportunity to view interesting and sometimes very rare books is an extra added attraction. Assignments like these are a pleasure.

PALM BEACH APPRAISERS

2009-12-17T16:35:00.000-08:00

WEST PALM BEACH - The appraiser for the respondent in a Palm Beach divorce case advertised himself as an expert. His accreditations were many. My own paled by comparison. His specialty was appraising strictly Sotheby's material while I appraise just about everything from art and antiques to heavy construction equipment. He even seemed to have an advantage geographically being from Palm Beach vs. an appraiser who covers all of South Florida including some of the not so nice areas. My feeling was that we were up against a strong expert witness.
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At the mediation hearing we sat before the arbitrator. There was some light-hearted banter wherein the respondent's appraiser made certain to regale us with tales of his most recent high profile assignments in Palm Beach.
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There were no objections to the mediation agreement by either attorney. All that was left was to sort out the huge discrepancy in the value of the art, antiques and contents of the estate. Mediation should allow those involved to create an amicable resolution to items of contention among the personal property. However, the chasm between my appraised value of $750K and his $2M+ was quite deep.
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As each item was addressed, we heard of how the respondent's appraiser had seen similar items at luxury estate sales or auction houses and referred to his notes to buttress his opinions of their values. "Oh yes", he would exclaim, "the market for this particular item has skrocketed in recent years."
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When it came to my turn, I provided dated copies of seller listings as well as completed transactions on many items from Online auctions, sales forums and art and antique sites. There were also a few dealer quotes from the many telephone calls I made to those specializing in certain unique markets.
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Well, he harumphed that, while my documentation was most noticeably complete, that my quotes were probably skewed downward. He belittled the validity of my sources. Besides this and other proclamations, it was all he offered in response. A less than impressive expert witness as it turned out.
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The mediator gave the adverse attorney two weeks to dispute my findings. In addition, he held that if no pertinent rebuttal data was received, that all of the values I had placed on the personal property would be accepted.
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Two weeks later there was no response which meant that they conceded and accepted my valuations. Did their appraiser's negligence weaken their case?
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Experience is a valuable tool to an appraiser but without question, of more importance is the time one puts into thorough research and accurate reporting. I'll freely admit that the respondent's appraiser has seen a lot more art and high end furniture than I have. Everything right down to his cuff links implied that his valuations would probably be the ones accepted. But it was the less-experienced appraiser's clients who ended up victorious on this day. Hard work and perserverence won out. Making call after call to dealers who didn't have time to talk to me made all the difference. I must say that the mediator was impressed not only with the professionalism of my report but also by the great deal of time I'd obviously put into research.
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At St. Lucie Appraisal, we want your business and we're willing to work for it.
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Licensed Appraisers & Adjusters - Service throughout South Florida.
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Questions? contact@stlucieappraisal.net